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Archive for April, 2015

When spring arrives, we all find ourselves working in our yards and enhancing our landscaping. If you’re like most homeowners, you’d love to save a little cash while improving your yard. There are many ways to cut expenses when landscaping your home. We’ve provided a few ideas to get you started:

Inspiration before Perspiration – You could hire a landscape designer to plot your lot, but if you are reading this, there is a good chance that you are ready to save some money as a do-it-yourselfer. There is a vast array of books, magazines, and websites to draw ideas from for your landscape design. Don’t forget to check out Pinterest and your friends’ and neighbors’ yards, too. Most people are proud of their yards and are willing to give you permission to snap a few photos. Some communities have house tours that include showing off the best gardens. Good ideas can also be found in public parks and botanical gardens.

Test your Soil – Know what you are dealing by testing a few soil samples. This information will help to pinpoint the correct additives that are needed to improve your soil and correct the PH balance. Different plants have different needs. Consider choosing plants that are suitable for the soil that you already have and save on additives, all together.

Go Native – Choose plans species that grow naturally in your region. This reduces the expense and worry of special treatment. It also insures a degree of success that will build confidence for the beginner. Once your plantings are established, you can always experiment by adding new and even exotic species gradually as you become an expert gardener.

Divide and Conquer – Many plants, like iris, need to be dug up and divided every few years. Plan your landscape for expansion of these types of plants. Many perennials, like hostas and daisies, spread every year and can be divided and replanted. Plants that reseed themselves like pinks and bachelor’s buttons will self-propagate year after year even though they are annuals. Start small and give your plants room to expand year after year.

Share – Once your plants are established and you have become competent at dividing and replanting, and collecting and saving seeds, it’s time to branch out. Trading with friends, relatives, neighbors and co-workers is a time honored tradition and an inexpensive way to establish new plants in your landscape. If you need more sources, check out garden clubs, community gardens and online want ads.

Our outside space can be utilized in so many ways, a playground, an entertainment center, a garden showcase. By keeping organized, one can reap the most benefits with less time on upkeep and more time for enjoyment. Here are some tips to help you keep your backyard organized:

Clean – At the end of the season, gather items together by usage, like gardening tools, the kids’ toys, grilling equipment. Cover what needs to be protected from the elements and stow away the rest. Treat your clean garden tools and mower blades to a coat of oil or lubricant to keep them from rusting.

Stow it – Designate one area of your garage or basement just for storing outdoor items. If you are maxing out your garage storage or just tired of toting items up and down the basement stairs, consider investing in a shed or purchasing a storage shed of shed blueprints and building your own. Organizing here is easily accomplished with shelves, pegboards, hooks, and storage containers. Use see through containers or labels to save time when locating and retrieving items.

Down Under – Additional storage space may be found and used under porches and decks. You may want to install some lattice work to help keep it out of sight.

Reel it in – To keep hoses from becoming unsightly, dangerous tangles invest in a hose reel. Not only does it keep it in its place, it helps drain the water out of it for winter storage.

Pave it – If you have a beaten path in your lawn because it is traversed so often, like the route to the trash cans or pool, consider setting some pavers or stepping stones. It will save time and money from constant reseeding or sodding and as a bonus, keep you on track.

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